Potential and strengths

Moc Chau National Tourist Area is both the gateway to Son La province and a tourist bridge connecting the capital Hanoi and the Northern Delta with the Northwestern provinces; it is considered one of the most important national tourist areas in the "Through the Northwest" tourist journey, on the vital traffic route of National Highway 6.

Moc Chau National Tourist Area has a total planned area of ​​206,150 hectares, belonging to two districts of Moc Chau and Van Ho. This place has diverse, rich, unique and attractive tourism resources in terms of both natural and cultural tourism resources. Moc Chau Plateau is favored by nature with beautiful landscapes, cave systems, waterfalls, majestic mountains and forests, such as: Bat Cave, Ngu Dong Ban On, Dai Yem waterfall, Tat Nang waterfall, Nang Tien waterfall, hot spring in Phu Mau village, pine forest in Ang village,...

Tourists visit and experience Dai Yem waterfall, Muong Sang commune, Moc Chau district
Photo: Pham Duc

This place is also the land of many flowers, especially peach blossoms, plum blossoms, ban flowers, mustard flowers... The green tea hills are also a highlight that attracts tourists. Pha Luong peak is nearly 2,000 m above sea level, located near the Vietnam - Laos border, in the top 19 beautiful and wild Northwest tourist destinations with majestic mountain scenery.

Tourists visit and take photos at the canola flower hill in Long Luong commune, Van Ho district.
Photo: Pham Duc

The highland area contains cultural heritage values ​​with great potential for tourism development. In the tourist area, there are currently 4 national relics and nearly 20 provincial relics. Many unique cultural values ​​of the Thai, Mong, Dao, Xinh Mun, La Ha, Muong ethnic groups... with 7 national intangible cultural heritages. Many ethnic villages and hamlets still preserve traditional cultural values, such as: Traditional residential architecture of ethnic groups; traditional occupations; Tang Me cave archaeological site... There are also historical sites and relics, such as: Historical relic of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment, Moc Ly station relic, relic where Uncle Ho talked with cadres and workers of Moc Chau Farm...

Het Cha Festival in Dong Sang Commune, Moc Chau District
Photo: PV

Mr. Graham Cooke - Founder, Chairman of World Travel Awards brand, commented: National tourist area Moc Chau is the “diamond” of Son La province, where nature has bestowed majestic landscapes, cool climate all year round with many rich natural tourist attractions. This place offers unique cultural tourism services from 12 ethnic minorities, experiencing overnight stays in stilt houses, tasting traditional dishes and learning more about a new, different way of life; this is truly a valuable asset.

Make a difference, be special

The master plan for the construction of Moc Chau National Tourist Area, Son La Province to 2030 was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 128/QD-TTg dated January 25, 2019 and the construction zoning plan and detailed construction plan of the National Tourist Area were established on the basis of nature conservation, preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.

7-storey waterfall in Chieng Khoa commune, Van Ho district
Photo: PV

Following the planning, Son La province directed relevant sectors, together with Moc Chau and Van Ho districts, to focus on developing tourism to ensure harmony between factors: Economy - society - culture - environment; harmonize the interests of subjects participating in tourism activities. Strengthen tourism management; planning and planning management, ensuring harmony with the environment, not destroying the natural landscape; developing tourism infrastructure; strengthening tourism promotion and advertising...

Tha Khenh dance performance of Mong ethnic people in Bac Au village, Van Ho commune
Photo: PV

Comrade Tran Dan Khoi, Secretary of Moc Chau District Party Committee, informed: Since 2018, Moc Chau District Party Committee has directed the District People's Committee to issue decisions on planning a number of conservation areas to develop tourism in the district, such as: Approving the Project on planning the protection of rice fields in Ban Ang pine forest resort, Dong Sang commune with a total area of ​​60.8 hectares; Planning the grass fields of Moc Chau Farm; approving the Project on planning the protection and development of Na Ka plum valley, in Pa Khen sub-area, Moc Chau Farm town, with a total area of ​​90 hectares. These are tourist destinations closely linked to nature and typical of the Northwest mountainous region, creating mutual support between agricultural development and tourism, building new and attractive tourism products, attracting a large number of visitors to Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

Van Tay Tea Hill, Moc Chau Farm Town

Thanks to correct and effective development orientations, Moc Chau National Tourist Area has become an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, especially winning the prestigious award of "World's Leading Nature Destination" for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023.

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed: Natural and cultural tourism resources have become the strength of Moc Chau National Tourist Area, the driving force for growth and sustainable tourism development. The trend of world tourists is to love and choose places with pristine natural landscapes and intact culture. Son La province preserves natural landscapes, maintains original features, creates differences and specialties to attract tourists.

Conquer the hearts of tourists

Moc Chau National Tourist Area has 324 accommodation establishments, of which 54 have been ranked and evaluated as meeting tourist service standards; 395 establishments serve food and beverage; 58 shopping establishments serve tourists. In the area, there are more and more areas, points, and service establishments, with many attractive tourism products, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and experience.

Mr. Mai Tri Tue, Deputy General Director of 26 Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company, informed: Moc Chau Island tourist area of ​​26 Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company is a large-scale entertainment and resort complex in the Northwest region. Notably, Bach Long glass bridge holds 3 world records, recognized by 3 prestigious world organizations, including: The longest cliff path in the world; the longest glass-bottom bridge in the world; the longest glass bridge in the world with a length of 632 m. In addition, we also have a high-class resort hotel train; unprecedented adventure games in the Northwest, such as: Zipline "Discover the sky", become a racer with F1 Kart Club, slide on the rainbow colors of Air-slide, explore Chim Than cave...

Bach Long Glass Bridge at Moc Chau Island Tourist Area

One of the attractive tourist destinations that attracts a large number of visitors to the plateau is the Ban Ang Pine Forest Tourist Area, Dong Sang Commune, with an area of ​​nearly 50 hectares, which is likened to a "miniature Da Lat" with towering ancient pine trees, stretching around a poetic 3-hectare natural lake, resort and entertainment area.

Moc Chau walking street and night market with a colorful space of culture with artistic and traditional values; enjoy special performances, handicraft products, agricultural products produced by ethnic people. The Nordic Village resort in Hua Tat village, Van Ho commune is located in the middle of a green pine forest with bungalows with unique architecture like villages in Northern Europe...

Moc Chau National Tourist Area also organizes many attractive events to attract tourists. In spring, the plateau is bustling with Peach Blossom Festival, Ban Flower Festival, Het Cha Festival, Praying for Rain Festival, Hot Air Balloon Festival. In summer, there is Orchid Festival, Highland Tea Festival and Fruit Picking Festival. In autumn, there is excitement in the Ethnic Culture Festival, with unique cultural and artistic activities, honoring the cultural values ​​of the ethnic groups in the area. In winter, vibrant cultural and sports events are organized in cultural villages, tourist attractions, and scenic spots, inviting visitors to visit and experience.

2023 ATV Race in Van Ho Commune, Van Ho District
Photo: Pham Duc

To increase the attraction and experience of tourists to Moc Chau National Tourist Area, local professional agencies have promoted digital transformation, applying 4.0 technology to promote and develop tourism. Typically, the Moc Chau Tourist Area Management Board has "Application of virtual reality technology, promoting Moc Chau tourism via VR" (mocchautourism.com/vi/moc-chau-360); Moc Chau district has built a Moc Chau digital tourism map (3D/360 Smart Interactive Tourism - Moc Chau-Son La).

Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents, shared: Moc Chau National Tourist Area has been developing strongly. Through the province's communication and investment promotion, as well as connecting with travel businesses, especially through direct site inspections, we have realized that this is a place with many attractive tourist destinations, allowing companies to organize many tours throughout the year.

Preserving and promoting the potential and strengths of natural and cultural tourism resources, Moc Chau National Tourist Area develops harmoniously and sustainably, continuing to affirm its position on the domestic and international tourism map, especially conquering the hearts and choices of tourists.

Pham Duc

Moc Chau National Tourist Area – the “diamond” of Son La province (baosonla.org.vn)